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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 11 · General History · 31 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 11 · Chapter 26: The Aila-gītā
11.26.911.26.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 11.26.10

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Ailasince 11.26.7inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitLord Kṛṣṇa → UddhavaKing Aila → himself

सपरिच्छदमात्मानं हित्वा तृणमिवेश्वरम् ।

यान्तीं स्‍त्रियं चान्वगमं नग्न उन्मत्तवद् रुदन् ॥ १० ॥

sa-paricchadam ātmānaṁ

hitvā tṛṇam iveśvaram

yāntīṁ striyaṁ cānvagamaṁ

nagna unmatta-vad rudan

Translation

Although I was a powerful lord with great opulence, that woman gave me up as if I were no more than an insignificant blade of grass. And still, naked and without shame, I followed her, crying out to her like a madman.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Opulence Cannot Shield One From Rejection

  1. 1

    Although the king was powerful and wealthy, the woman abandoned him as if he were an insignificant blade of grass.

  2. 2

    His power and opulence did not prevent him from following her in distress.

  3. 3

    Naked and without shame, he cried out and pursued her like a madman.

How it feels

Striving → Complete devotional trust. The Lord redirects Uddhava toward enduring loving service.

Chapters 21–29 of Canto 11: Spiritual practice culminating in bhakti-yoga. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 26: The Aila-gītā

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

They are impure, and by associating with them one will fall down into the dark pit of ignorance. The emperor Purūravā, who was bewildered by the association of the heavenly lady Urvaśī, later became renounced after being separated from her.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 11.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sa-paricchadamalong with my kingdom and all paraphernalia
  2. ātmānammyself
  3. hitvāabandoning
  4. tṛṇama blade of grass
  5. ivaas if
  6. īśvaramthe powerful lord
  7. yāntīmgoing away
  8. striyamthe woman
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “crying”, “cried”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “wealthy”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 11.26

    In this verse: “distress”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I expect status or possessions to protect me from the pain of rejection?

Practice

Write one sentence acknowledging that power and possessions cannot ensure another person’s affection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOpulence Cannot Shield One From RejectionThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 11.26.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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